I think it all goes to prove that you will NEVER be safe on a commercial airline. You cannot think or expect that the government, the airlines or the poor working joes who scan people and luggage day in and day out, can prevent or protect you from a terrorist action on a plane.
If we can think of a scenario, you can very well bet that it's already in consideration by the terrorists and they have things up their sleeves that normal people haven't even considered yet. I'm a frequent flier so it's not a very comforting thought for me, but it's reality.
You are 100% correct.
It is foolish to think that the government, or the police, or anybody else, can somehow make life safe. Life is challenge and danger, in addition to beauty and calm.
It cracks me up when NASA talks about "making sure the Space Shuttle is safe." SAFE?!?!? HAH!! Right, strap yourself into a tin-can mounted on a pair of huge firecrackers with a tank of hydrogen, blasted to Mach-10, and shot into space... "SAFE"?!?!? What a joke. Astronauts get my vote for guts, every time.
Personally, I like high, fast rollercoasters, I ride a motorcycle, and I hang over the edge of every tall place I stand. I take it for granted that the airplane I'm riding in Saturday might go down, blow up, or whatever. My family's with me, no less. But like you say, it's reality, and staying home in bed with the covers pulled over one's head is no way to live.